The term “super team” is a relatively new phrase in the NBA that describes the concept of adding superstar players to one roster in an attempt to dominate the league. Though this may be every team’s overall goal year after year, it is rarely achieved.

The phrase itself can be considered somewhat belittling due to the fact that many fans today consider it a cheap strategy in order to claim an NBA title as quickly as possible. However, there are countless behind-the-scenes factors that occur in order to build that team over time. General Managers and teams’ front offices work tirelessly to obtain the best players possible, and give their respective organizations the best chance of success.

One of the first instances of a super team breaking out into the league was the 2010 Miami Heat. With an enormous cap space of $48 million, the Heat were able to create the “Big Three.” It all began when Miami drafted Dwyane Wade in 2003. The team saw immediate success with the young player, eventually winning the franchise’s first ever championship in 2006. Following that success however, the Heat were plagued with consecutive losing seasons. Enter LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

In 2010, the first year with James and Bosh playing alongside Wade, the Heat finished with an impressive record of 58-24, clinching the number 2 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Though they would go on to lose to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals that year, the trio eventually won the championship title the next year in 2012, and again in 2013. Their reign came to an end after losing to the Spurs in the Finals in 2014, though their legacy remained well intact.

The Big Three sparked a movement across the NBA. Front offices around the league have always understood the value of having such immense talent, but few were gifted it. The idea of developing a “super team” then became even more alluring. Combining star players on a single roster seems like the perfect way to immediately become a championship contender, but GM’s understand that this is much easier said than done.

The Golden State Warriors, for example, have been what many consider to be the greatest super team of all time for a few years now. The combined talents of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, to name a few, were enough to claim two NBA titles in 2015 and 2017. The addition of Durant however, sparked controversy around the league. Critics and fans accused him of joining the Warriors due to the almost guaranteed chance of winning a championship, leaving behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. But, General Manager Bob Myers would disagree, saying that this dynasty was created over time, which is true.

As if NBA teams understood the threat that Golden State posed, it seemed as though a few scrambled to compete. The new-era Cleveland Cavaliers (LeBron James’ homecoming) were able to defeat them in the 2016 Finals, but were stopped abruptly in 2017 after the addition of Durant.

Today, the concept of super teams is prominent throughout the league. Here are a few of those teams (excluding the Warriors) with star players and notable additions to their rosters in recent years:

Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook

Paul George

Carmelo Anthony

Boston Celtics

Kyrie Irving

Gordon Hayward

Al Horford

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James

Isaiah Thomas

Derrick Rose

Dwyane Wade

Kevin Love

Houston Rockets

James Harden

Chris Paul

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All of these teams have added another star player quite recently in the wake of the Warriors’ dominance, though to say they’ve done so because of that specifically would be unfair. Dynasties often come from years of building. While flashes of success do occur in super teams, the most successful seem to be from devotion on the front offices’ parts (see San Antonio Spurs).

It is exciting to imagine that a super team is currently in the works that has yet to manifest. Should one come about in the coming years, it would further prove the notion that these super teams are built through dedication, intelligence, and most importantly, patience.

At 6 foot 8, Lebron James is unlike most players in the NBA. He can dominate the game at multiple positions, something you don’t often see. The hype of Lebron James started when he was in high school and many believed he would be the next star in the NBA. Well, they were right. Everyone was immediately fascinated with LeBron James as soon as he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Throughout his career, he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. James led the Cavs to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007 before bolting for Miami after the 2010 season. In four seasons with the Heat, James won two titles, but he is now back with Cleveland. Here now are the 3 greatest playoff moments of LeBron’s career so far.

Lebron’s First Title
Lebron’s first championship will always his memorable one. After reaching the Finals twice and walking away empty, James and the Miami Heat won the first of two NBA Championships during the Big Three Era. They defeated a talented Oklahoma City team that featured, Kevin Durant one of best players in the league. Lebron had an incredible series and won the Finals MVP.

Game 6 of 2012 Eastern Conference Finals
In game 6 of 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, Lebron James put together one of greatest playoff performances in NBA history. Yes, it was that amazing. With the Heat facing elimination, James was as locked in as I have ever seen him before. He scored 45 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out five assists to lead Miami to victory. The Heat would then defeat the Celtics in Game 7 a few nights later and move on to the NBA Finals.

Game 5 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals

If there is one performance that can contend with the one above it is when Lebron and Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons in game 5 of 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. With the series tied at 2 games a piece, James single-handedly carried the Cavaliers to victory over a great Detroit Pistons team. He scored the Cavs’ final 25 points to defeat Detroit 109-107 in double overtime. James finished with a remarkable 48 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.